Art professor earns National Silver ADDY award

Art professor Renee Melton didn't have any trouble in the world's largest and arguably toughest advertising competition, earning her second National ADDY award in three years from the American Advertising Federation.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater assistant professor of art and graphic design earned a National Silver ADDY for her invitation and announcement for last fall’s Women of Metal exhibit at the university, which featured the work of 33 female metalsmiths from around the country who teach or have taught in Wisconsin.

“It is a significant accomplishment for any creative to receive a National ADDY award,” Melton said.  “To do so outside of the support of an advertising agency environment is a great honor.”

This is the second National ADDY award in three years presented to UW-Whitewater.  In 2007, Melton earned a National Gold ADDY for the design of the inaugural memento for former Chancellor Martha Saunders.  Melton said the second award furthers awareness of UW-Whitewater and its design program among the professional community.

“As our students graduate and seek employment, the reputation of the program opens doors to bigger and better opportunities for them,” she said. 

ADDY award entries are judged on creativity, originality and creative strategy.  The objective of the Women of Metal announcement was to invite exhibiting artists, special guests and the general public to the exhibition. According to Melton, the design concept interprets this goal visually.  When received in the mail, the announcement is a standard folded piece.  But once opened, it becomes a pop-up gallery space offering a glimpse of the work on display.

“Developing an invitation or announcement is not a new design challenge,” Melton said.  “The creative solution we developed was a new approach to an old problem. The unique qualities of the design made its audience take notice.”

“Renee Melton’s ADDY award is one more indication of the quality of faculty working in the College of Arts and Communication,” said Richard Haven, interim dean of the college.  “This award also reinforces the national impact of the Women of Metal exhibit and oral history project. Only two universities had a staff member who received a gold or silver ADDY in the prestigious “National Award category” and we are proud that Renee was one of them.”

Michigan State University earned a National Silver ADDY for its College of Education Annual Report.

In March, the American Advertising Federation of Northern Illinois presented five ADDY awards to Melton for work she and colleagues did in developing a catalog, announcement and print materials for the Women of Metal show.

Melton's entries won three gold and silver awards at District VI competition for advertising projects in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan -- Melton is from Rockford, Ill., -- and went on to compete at the national level in Washington, D.C.

UW-Whitewater’s entry was one of more than 60,000 entries worldwide.